ThunderStruck: Weekly Rundown 05/20/12 – 05/26/12

Raquel Diaz accepts a challenge to face Paige for her FCW Divas Title next week.

Seth Rollins defeated Big E Langston in a non-title match.

Antonio Cesaro cuts a promo on Kassius Ohno and says he will always be better than his former partner.

Richie Steamboat and Brad Maddox wrestled to a draw after fifteen minutes. Each man scored one pinfall and Richie retained the F15 Championship.

Bo Rotundo defeated Kassius Ohno with the help of Antonio Cesaro. Bo is now the number one contender to the Florida Heavyweight Title.

Thoughts: The show wasn’t uploaded anywhere this week that I could find, so I’ve yet to see it. This has happened before and I’ve ended up missing episodes of the show. I’ve posted the results above, and it looks like a great episode.

Over The Limit Sunday 5/20/12 Final Thoughts: Great ppv. The main event was garbage, but it didn’t ruin the show for me. Every match before that(except Ryback’s) was worked well and the card was pure wrestling. I loved it. Check out my reaction column if you missed it.

Monday Night Raw 5/21/12 Final Thoughts: The show was lazy and the segments were dragged out. It was just a very average show(almost below average). Three hour Raws are not looking very promising if this is how they are going to write the script. I hope the show improves next week.

NXT Wednesday 05/23/12:

Jinder Mahal defeated Derrick Bateman. Mahal made Bateman submit to the camel clutch at the six and a half minute mark.

Percy Watson defeated Heath Slater. This match also goes exactly six and a half minutes as well and Watson wins with the flapjack slam.

Maxine defeated Alicia Fox. Maxine made Alicia tap out in just over six minutes.

The Great Khali and Ezekiel Jackson defeated Drew Mcintyre and Johnny Curtis. Khali wins using the punjabi plunge at the nine and a half minute mark and getting the pin on Johnny Curtis

Thoughts: Looks like WWE is going to film random NXT episodes until they find a TV network to pick up the new NXT that they have been taping episodes for. The wrestling was solid, but I’m more excited for the upcoming future of NXT once they pick up a network deal and focus on the FCW talent that are being highlighted. Regal made the comment on the show that Ezekial and Khali were back by popular demand. I am going to have to respectfully disagree with Regal on that comment.

Superstars Thursday 05/24/12:

Antonio Cesaro defeated Tyson Kidd in a short match.

Kofi Kingston and R-Truth defeated JTG and Michael McGillicutty. Truth hits the little jimmy on JTG for the pinfall.

Zack Ryder defeats Heath Slater in the main event using the rough-ryder.

Thoughts: Three really good wrestling matches were delivered on Superstars this week. I don’t know that I like Kidd losing to Cesaro, but I know that WWE is going to push Cesaro fast so I guess it’s to be expected. Truth and Kofi have become a very believable tag team and are a lot of fun to watch in the ring. Lastly, if this is the only time we’re going to see Zack Ryder featured, I’ll just have to accept it and enjoy it.

Impact Wrestling Open Fight Night Thursday 05/24/12

Hogan eliminates contenders from the opportunity of facing Bobby Roode one by one throughout the show. He eliminates Bully Ray first, then Jeff Hardy, and then eventually Kurt Angle when he selects AJ Styles at the end of the night to face Roode for the World Title.

Gail Kim and Madison Rayne defeat Eric Young and ODB in a non-title match after calling them out.

RVD defeats Gunner in a very short match. RVD hits the frog splash from almost 3/4 of the way across the ring.

D-Von calls out Garrett Bischoff and their match is interrupted by Robbie T and Robbie E. Bischoff and D-Von take them out and shake hands out of respect afterwards.

Bully Ray calls out Joseph Park and beats him down in the ring after they exchange words.

Joey Ryan wrestles a gut check match against Austin Aries and loses.

Bobby Roode defeats AJ Styles using the fisherman’s suplex into a pinfall. AJ was distracted by the presence of Daniels and Kazarian. Roode celebrates after the match but is attacked by a returning Sting. Hogan announces Sting vs Roode in a lumberjack match next week on Impact to open the show.

Thoughts: This was a really good show yet again from TNA. Less is definitely more when it comes to the guy in charge. The wrestling for this company has been speaking for itself and this week was no different. I don’t like Eric Young’s talent being wasted on knockout matches, but I’m glad he’s still on tv every week. D-Von and Garrett doesn’t excite me, but the boost for Garrett as a wrestler could definitely help his stock overall. I’m tired of the Joseph Park gimmick. He needs to put the mask back on and do his thing in the ring. Joey Ryan was decent in action but I didn’t care for his 1970’s porno look. Roode and Styles tore the house down and I enjoyed it; I’m glad Roode will be opening the live Impact against Sting. It will be a good way to start the summer season for TNA.

This week’s edition of ROH recapped Border Wars from May 12th and replayed the entire World Title match between between Kevin Steen and Davey Richards. You can check out my recap to the column here: http://www.facebook.com/notes/joe-thunder/thunderstruck-roh-border-wars-reaction/10150836000369537

Rumors and final thoughts: Chris Jericho is suspended. First it was indefinitely, and now it’s been changed to thirty days. I believe this whole thing was elaborate kayfabe. You can’t convince me otherwise when it comes to WWE. They expect fans to believe a lot of things they put into the media. Some fans believe it and others don’t. I’m not buying it.

The No Way Out card now has Orton without an opponent. I would expect him to be added to the World Title match with Sheamus and Del Rio. Cena and Big Show is supposed to main event the night; this disappoints me, but it’s what WWE is best at in terms of John Cena booking.

FCW is ending and NXT is going to be the new developmental show once they find a network deal. I like the move, and I’m excited to see the shows they produce.

That’s all for this week’s rundown. Make sure to check out my Smackdown column as well. Until next time, you’ve been ThunderStruck!